Oh, No….

I spent the day with my friend Ju-Hyung today. We had lunch downtown then she gave me a tour of her university. As we were walking around, she commented that my Korean had really improved. I think she was just being nice. I thanked her then she said,

“But…”

Oh, no. What? What is it?

“Well, you talk like old man.”

What?

“Many of your phrases, they are like a grandfather.”

Oh, no. I learn many phrases from the men at so-yae.

“Maybe you should stop.”

Yeah. Maybe. Thanks.

Skinship

Ju-Hyung, her friend “Angel” (I love how people won’t tell me their Korean names…) and I were sitting on the benches on campus talking. About random things. Life in Korea. Work. School. Visting abroad. Angel made a face towards some other students. What? What is it? Ju-Hyung whispered to me, “skinship” and gave me a knowing nod. Huh? What? “Skinship,” and she nodded again. I looked from Angel to Ju-Hyung. I shook my head to indicate I didn’t understand. Ju-Hyung looked at Angel, “Is it Konglish?” Angel replied, “I think maybe.” I piped in, I think yes. This is not an English word I know of. What is it? “Well, when people touch. In public. Public intimacy.” Oh. Like what we were doing earlier (as we walked around campus, she intertwined her arm in mine)? “NONONONONO! Only between man and woman. Not woman/woman.” Oh. At this point, I was really curious. I glanced over at the guilty couple, expecting to see bodies intertwined, tongues a lickin’. They were sitting next to each other. Holding hands. Nothing flagrant. That? Ju-Hyung nodded, narrowing her eyes. But, Ju-Hyung, I’ve seen you hold your boyfriend’s hand. I see people do that everywhere. Angel tried to explain, “But different. When single people see skinship, bad. Very bad. But if you do it, okay.” There’s got to be a word for this logic.